10 Things Every Yankee Doodle Dandy Should Know

[Guest guest]

[ [ How can you not love Independence Day? It's the quintessential

I [ I American holiday--parades, picnics, flags, fireworks,

M I M history...But you might find you love it even more once you try a

A M A few of these tasty nuggets of knowledge.

G A G

E G E 1. Independence Day commemorates the Continental Congress's

] E ] formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4,

] 1776. However, it was not declared a legal holiday until 1941.

[ 2. Fireworks were made in China as early as the 6th century. The

I Chinese used their pyrotechnic mixtures for war rockets and

M explosives. For a super safe fireworks show, send a fireworks

A greeting card.

G

E 3. Uncle Sam was f! irst popularized during the War of 1812, when

] the term appeared on supply containers. Believe it or not, the U.

S. Congress didn't adopt him as a national symbol until 1961.

[

I 4. Did you know there are many precise rules for taking care of

M our national banner? And speaking of flag traditions, we're sorry

A to report that contrary to legend, there is no historical

G evidence that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag.

E

] 5. wrote to his wife: " It ought to be solemnized with

pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires

[ and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other,

I from this time forward, forevermore. "

M

A 6. It is thanks to some old New England patriots that we have our

G independence. Boston Patriots protested British taxes by throwing

E tea into Boston Harbor in the so-called Boston Tea Party in 1773.

] Revolution was on its way.

[ 7. The American national anthem, " The Star-Spangled Banner " , is

I set to the tune of an English drinking song ( " To Anacreon in

M Heaven " ).

A

G 8. The Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom around the world. And

E what is inscribed on the tablet she holds? July 4, 1776 (in Roman

] numerals).

[ 9. The patriotic poem " America the Beautiful " was published by

I Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates on July 4, 1895.

M

A 10. Corn on the cob is a summer staple and a Fourth of July

G tradition. Did you know that the Sweet Corn Capitol of the Wo!

E rld is Hoopeston, Illinois?

]